AFCON Could Stay Every Two Years After All as CAF Rethinks Its Four-Year Plan
The Africa Cup of Nations may not be heading for a four-year cycle after all. CAF president Patrice Motsepe has confirmed the controversial change is back on the table.
Motsepe: “The matter is being reviewed”
Speaking on Friday at CAF’s strategy conference in Cape Verde, Motsepe said the discussions of the past few days included the possibility of AFCON returning every two years. His message was that CAF is looking at every option and the decision is under review.
How we got here
AFCON has been played every two years since 1968, with only one small wrinkle: the 2012 and 2013 editions were held a single year apart. In December 2025, CAF announced a move to a four-year cycle, starting after the 2027 tournament in East Africa and a 2028 edition.
The announcement did not go down well across the continent.
Why the pushback
National associations raised several concerns:
- Visibility: fewer AFCONs means fewer chances for national teams, and their players, to be seen on the continental stage
- Commercial impact: less frequent tournaments mean less revenue and fewer sponsorship opportunities
- The calendar: questions over where Africa’s biggest competition would fit among the other international tournaments
What it means for fans
If the review goes the way many supporters want, the AFCON rhythm stays as it has been for decades, and we keep getting a continental showpiece every two years. Nothing is confirmed yet, but the tone from the top has clearly shifted since December.
Should AFCON stay every two years, or is there a case for the four-year cycle?
